Hiring an attorney after the death of a loved one may seem like a big step. However, if you have reason to believe that another person is responsible for your fatal injuries, your attorney can confirm whether that is the case.
Hiring a Maryland wrongful death attorney comes immediately after the untimely or accidental death of a loved one. Fatal car accidents, slips and falls, and other accidents can be caused by negligence, and survivors must file a lawsuit against the responsible party. The sooner the survivor does this, the more time the attorney has to gather evidence and prepare a claim. Filing a lawsuit in a timely manner is important because filing a lawsuit before the statute of limitations has expired will prevent survivors from receiving compensation or holding those responsible accountable.
Know When to Hire a Wrongful Death Attorney
If someone close to you recently died in an accident or somewhat chaotic situation, someone else may be liable, opening the door for you to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Because time is of the essence in wrongful death cases, survivors should immediately consider hiring an attorney to investigate.
If another party was involved in the victim’s death
If someone else is involved, hiring a wrongful death attorney to investigate the circumstances of the victim’s death may be beneficial to you and your family. For example, if you were killed in a car accident, another driver may have been involved in the accident. This doesn’t necessarily mean the other driver is at fault, but there’s a good chance they are. Further investigation into the crash may reveal that the other driver was negligent and caused the accident, which may allow survivors to file a wrongful death claim. Survivors may do this if the assault turned fatal or in other incidents involving individuals other than the victim. Automobile accidents are one of the leading causes of wrongful death, and victims are more likely to die if they are hit by a bicycle, pedestrian, motorcycle, or large truck.
When the victim’s death appears to be an accident
Even deaths that appear completely accidental, such as fatal slip and fall accidents, may warrant further investigation. Whether the victim falls from a standing height or from a higher height, contact with hard ground can result in catastrophic head injuries. Falls and falls are often caused by unsafe property conditions, and the property owner is responsible for compensating survivors for damages.
Other deaths that appear to be random may be due to negligence, such as medical malpractice. Patients seeking medical care for their symptoms may die from improper treatment, and an experienced attorney may be able to identify medical malpractice and prove it in a wrongful death case. . This often requires a careful review of the victim’s medical records and other relevant documents, and your attorney will pool this information with you as you file your case.
If the survivor suffers damage
Family members typically file a wrongful death claim when they have suffered damages as a result of the defendant’s negligence in the death of the victim. If the victim made a significant financial contribution to your household, you may be able to claim compensation for loss of net income and funeral and burial costs. Additionally, your attorney can see if you can obtain non-economic damages in your case to compensate for the intangible damages you suffered as a result of the victim’s death. Survivors can often seek compensation for loss of companionship and other non-economic damages. The party that caused your loved one’s death must pay the resulting damages, and your attorney can track these losses and seek compensation in a lawsuit.
Submit a claim in a timely manner to a wrongful death attorney
Each state has its own statute of limitations for wrongful death lawsuits. Typically, families have only a few years after their loved one’s death to identify eligible plaintiffs and file claims in court. If the case is not resolved out of court, the attorney will need to gather enough evidence to meet the evidentiary standard, so the more time it takes to prepare the complaint, the better. Your attorney will be responsible for preparing your claim while you recover emotionally from the shocking death of a loved one while preserving important evidence that can prove liability in court. If the statute of limitations has expired, the court may dismiss any claims you attempt to bring after the window has closed.
Although you should prioritize starting a lawsuit as soon as possible after the victim’s death, do not rush to hire a lawyer. An attorney can represent you and other survivors in pursuing those responsible for the victim’s untimely and wrongful death. Therefore, it is important that you feel comfortable and confident in choosing a lawyer.
Disclaimer:
This content supplements, not replaces, information provided by clinicians. It is not intended or implied as a substitute for professional medical advice. Reading this information does not create or replace a physician-patient relationship or consultation. As appropriate, please contact your physician or other health care provider to help you interpret or apply this information to your individual needs.
